10/31/2024
The Story of the Young Seminarian
One day a young seminarian went to the house of the Lord to serve. After awhile, he began to try and impress the High Priest and the other assistant priests. He thought to himself, surely I’ll get a great position if i do this. When he walked by their offices, he always made a point to show the assistants how hard he was working. When he swept and mopped the floors, he would look over and draw their attention to make sure they would see him. Then as he vacuumed and wiped down the cobwebs, he would make sure to do the high priest room twice incase he wasn’t in his office the first time he did it.
Anytime they asked a favor of him, he would do it. He never said no. Even if it meant not getting his daily required tasks done. If a priest or secretary offered an opportunity to help at a function, he was always the first to sign up. When the High Priest asked for a special offering, he would go out of his way to give, even if it sacrificed his monthly bills.
Then one day the Bishop came by to visit and inquire on how the house of the Lord was being operated. When they arrived they were greeted with great respect. The young seminarian thought to himself, nows my chance to really put on a great impression! Who knows, perhaps they will put me in charge here or at another location!!
But as the Bishop began to inspect the Lord’s house, they found the young seminarian following them around everywhere. Constantly doing his work around them, regularly asking if they needed anything, telling them how much he had done to serve, and how qualified he was to lead his own campus. However, the Bishop saw right through him. They could see the seminarians heart was not pure. They could see his intentions and that he was serving for the wrong reasons.
So the Bishop went back to the High Priest after their inspection and gave the Lord’s house and him their blessing. But they told the High Priest to demote the young seminarian to bathroom and outside grounds duty. For they said he’s not worthy or ready to work in the Lord’s sanctuary. Give him one more year and see if he learns his lesson. If not, cut him loose. And so the High Priest stripped him of his position instead of promoting him. But he did not fire him.
The meaning of the Parable: In the Lords house you are there to serve the Lord, not yourself. Do not be approved by others when you only need approval from God alone. If the Lord wants to give you a position or a promotion, then He will do so. Do not insult the Lord your God’s intelligence by impure motives and the false intentions of your heart. Do things out of love for the people and to please God. Not for personal gain, promotional purposes, or to impress or be liked by others.
